Category: feature

This may be one of the biggest debates for homeowners, and we understand why. There are evident differences between the types of stone that most often grace your kitchen and bathroom countertops. You may be asking yourself which one is superior. Well, that answer is not simple because it depends on several factors. That’s why in this week’s blog, we’re talking quartz vs. granite countertops.

Appearance

Granite:

This stone often becomes a go-to for its unique appearance. Unlike quartz, granite is not engineered, and therefore every slab possesses slight differences in mineral pattern and color. Granite can be found in many different colors works perfect as a subtle complement to your kitchen or a standout slab.

Quartz:

The recently popular stone has gained more interest as of late due to your ability to customize the design. Quartz is an engineered stone, which means it is more uniform in appearance. With Quartz, there are many colors and unique patterns that are available. So while granite offers many options in terms of appearance, you’ll have to search for the right piece that matches your color scheme. This is, of course not the case with quartz, making the selection process easier.

Composition

Going back to what we mentioned above, the difference in the two stones comes down to material matters. Literally. Granite will always be pure natural stone that’s been directly cut into slabs from stone quarries. The stone is then polished and fabricated into countertops.

With quartz, because the countertops are engineered stone products, they still contain a large percentage of natural quartz. On the other hand, it’s important to note; they may include other minerals. Since what you are getting are not slabs of quarried stone, the stone byproducts are ground up and formed in slabs. 

Cost

With either stone, you’ll be selecting a premium material that comes at a high-dollar price for a product that has to be sourced internationally. That being said, let’s break down some of the costs associated with both products.

Granite:

The cost for granite can be anymore between $2,000 and $4,000, usually and depending on any edging treatments requested. The best option to save money on your choice in stone would be to purchase the material from a wholesaler. We also recommend sticking with a professional for installation as the last thing you want to do is damage the granite you’ve just spent over $2K for.

Quartz:

The price for quartz ultimately depends on the quality. That’s why the price ranges between $1,500 and $5,500. Because engineered quartz is heavier than other stone surfaces, a professional installer would also be recommended in this case. That’s to ensure the structure you are placing it on is structurally sound, because you know…weight and everything we just mentioned.

Maintenance

Granite:

When it comes to your granite countertops, they should be cleaned daily. This should be done with soap and water or a mild household cleaner. Because granite countertops can be porous and require sealing, they can be prone to staining from certain oils and acids. To help your granite last longer, resealing is recommended.

Quartz:

Similar to granite, you’ll want to clean your counter with soap and water or a mild household cleaner. This particular piece of advice would be more about maintenance than durability. Since the solid surface does not require sealing, you won’t have to worry about damage from stains, thanks to the stone’s resins. 

8 Shrubs That Thrive in Low Light Areas

If you want to add some nature to the interior of your home, we have the perfect plants for you. Having shrubs within your home helps with airflow and serves as a great decor choice. We’re sharing 8 shrubs that can thrive in low light areas so you can be the best possible plant parent.

Creeping Fig

Contrary to the name, there’s nothing creepy about this plant. Aside from the necessary pun, the creeping fig, a member of the ficus family, loves low light. The fig plant is native to the tropics doesn’t mind a bit of humidity if you happen to live by the beach. 

ZZ Plant

We’re not catching ZZ’s on this plant because it is thriving and adorable. We love the ZZ plant ZZ plant as one of the most tolerant shrubs for low light areas. According to botanic designer Jarema Osofsky, the plant could potentially survive with no light at all. But we’d spare this plant from any dark corners of your home. 

Dieffenbachia

This plant stunner comes in green, yellow, variegated, and white varieties. The dieffenbachia will brighten any space while purifying your air. Talk about a goal-getter. For low-light shrubs, you can also basically put this plant anywhere. This plant can grow equally well in low light, medium light, and direct light. Wow, triple threat!

Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

Snake plants are a popular choice for starter plant parents. This plant not only survives with low light, but it’s also very drought-tolerant. So if by chance you forget to water your plant—which you shouldn’t—but if you do, it will be fine. The Snake plant gets its name thanks to the wavy, striped patterns on its leaves that are, as you guessed, similar to a snake.

Monstera

The name alone stands out, and it’s easy to see why. Also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant–the Monstera grows wild in Panama. While the plant may seem abnormal, it is for the best reason. Monstera’s leaves are perforated so they can grow up to two feet wide in a jungle environment. Obviously, your home is not a jungle, so you won’t have to worry about oversized growth.

Lucky Bamboo

You can never go wrong with Bamboo in your home. A low-maintenance plant, lucky bamboo has been used within feng shui to attract wealth, health, and abundance.

English Ivy

When it comes to thriving shrubs, English ivy does suberbly in low light. Another bonus? The air-purifying plant can filter toxins and mold out of the air.

Red Anthurium

We couldn’t end the list without throwing in a bit of color. The Anthurium plants flower throughout the entire year. Each bloom can last around six weeks. The flowers can come in shades of pink, white, or red. To help this plant do its best, it’s recommended to water it one to two times per week. The plant’s waxy leaves can also build up dust, so be sure to use a damp cloth to help your Anthurium shine.

From Prime Day to Spotify’s Greenroom taking on Clubhouse and Google’s first store, dive into this week’s tech news.

Autonomous Ship Sets Sail Across the Atlantic

On Tuesday, an autonomous ship fitted with software developed by OBM set sail across the Atlantic Ocean. Deemed the ‘Mayflower Autonomous Ship’, the ship’s name is meant to commemorate the crossing of the original Mayflower 400 years ago. The ship is an artificial intelligence, solar-powered marine research vessel that will sail across the ocean to collect environmental data. The Mayflower or MAS spent several months prior to its September launch in sea trials and research missions to prepare. The ship will travel from Plymouth, England to Massachusetts in the U.S. Some of the issues that the ship will assist in gathering information for include global warming and marine mammal conservation. 

A New Bill Aims to Make it Easier to Cancel Your Trial Subscriptions

Signing up for a free trial 9 out of 10 turns into a surprise bill at the end of the month. Well, a new bi-partisan effort seeks to change this on behalf of consumers. On Wednesday, Senators proposed new legislation that would give consumers a more user-friendly trial period. The proposed bill would ensure that users are notified before payments kick in. According to a release from Sen. Brian Schatz, if passed, the Unsubscribe Act would require companies to make trial terms and conditions more transparent. “Free trials should benefit consumers, not trick them into endless payments for a product they don’t want,” said Sen. John Kennedy “This bill would give customers who enter subscription trials a clear, easy way to cancel those subscriptions”, he continues. 

Scientist Solve the Mystery of Betelgeuse

We’re not talking about the cult-classic film. In 2019, Betelgeuse went through a historically sudden and drastic period of dimming over several months. Scientists had begun to conclude that a Supernova was not too far off for the dim star. Now in a study published by the Observatoire de Paris, a new analysis of images taken in 2019 and 2020 shows Betelgeuse was actually being obscured by its own stellar exhalations. “We have directly witnessed the formation of so-called stardust,” says researcher Miguel Montargès in a statement. While the star has not yet reached its end, scientists believe a Supernova is to be expected in the next 10,000 years. So, something for your great-great-great-great-great-great…(this may take a while) grandchildren to look forward to.

How to Find the Best Deals for Prime Day

Besides Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we have another upcoming shopping holiday to look forward to. It’s almost time for Prime Day and the best deals of the year thus far! Amazon Prime members can expect to see some major deals on popular tech products like video games, gaming peripherals, laptops, 4K TVs, phones, PC accessories, and more. As far as finding the best price for your budget, platforms like CamelCamelCamel and Honey are the perfect browser extension. The websites are able to track the price of products on Amazon and alert you when a product has dropped to its lowest price. Another fun fact is that because we live in the land of competition, you can expect to also find tech deals from Walmart and Target on the same day as Prime Day. Just make sure to mark your calendar for June 21st and 22nd so you don’t miss out!

Google’s Will Open First Retail Store This Week

Good news to Google fans, as the tech giant will open its first brick-and-mortar shop this week. The bad news is that you will have to fly to New York to experience the store in person. The new physical retail store will be located underneath Google’s offices in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. Patron’s can find Google’s own hardware products, including Pixel phones, Nest gadgets, and other devices. The store will also have a selection of third-party accessories for sale, along with Google-branded, because of course. There are currently no plans for Google to open stores nationwide, with executives staying hush on any possibility in the future. 

Clubhouse competitor Greenroom by Spotify Launched This Week

Another drop-in audio option is joining the growing field of competitors to Clubhouse. This week, Spotify launched Greenroom, formerly Locker Room, as their live audio app feature. Available on iOS and Android, Greenroom allows users to host live conversations about sports, music, and culture. One of the major features is the app’s native recording, which will allow users to save their shows and distribute them as podcasts. Users can sign up for Greenroom with their Spotify credentials, with a creator fund underway although details have yet to be shared. Spotify will now join Twitter’s Spaces, Facebook’s Live Rooms, and other companies as they try to compete with 2020’s hit app Clubhouse.

Home Decor Trends That are So Last Year

By now, you should probably know what decor trends are so last year. If you don’t, no worries because this week’s blog is here to help. We know that last year, you either had a design overhaul or nothing at all. That’s why we’re breaking down some of the top things you should be throwing away or storing until it’s considered vintage and chic, like a pair of 90’s jeans. Read below for several trends that should definitely go, not that we’re midway through 2021.

All-white Interiors

Perhaps it’s from spending over a year inside, but this minimalistic decor trend is on its way out. This year color is making a comeback. That’s not to suggest that those with white-interior rooms should panic. Instead of a complete overhaul, try adding varying light-colored patterns or textures to mix things up. 

Gray Kitchens 

Say it isn’t so, one of our favorite trends of years past may be passe these days. In 2021, indigo blue has become a decor trend of choice. Gray kitchens, simple, can also have a cold appeal that lacks distinction. Forest green is another color on the list of approved options for your kitchen if you happen to be less than enthused with blue.

Fast Furniture

This should be obvious since the furniture itself was never meant for long-term usage. In place of the inexpensive furniture option, the multi-functional purpose is on the rise. Since our homes became our office, recreation area, and everything in between, people are seeking furniture with depth. Choosing pieces that can last and that become part of the memories being created in your home is the way forward. 

Accent Walls

While accent walls are not too bad an option for studios, this trend has already begun its journey out when it comes to large spaces. While the original trend served as a great way to make a room more interesting, it now comes off as more distracting. Monochromatic walls that can blend seamlessly with the decor are the way to go.

Matching Furniture Sets

This decor trend has faded when it comes to having your home office or bedroom furniture match its counterparts. These days it’s about finding the balance of personality with unique pieces and style. Rather than going for a set, consider selecting nonmatching pieces with complementary colors or designs. With so many great and unique furniture stores in L.A., your options are endless.

Faux Anything

We’re not talking about fashion; we’re talking about the decor, from faux plants (especially faux plants) to synthetic fabrics. This year is all about natural products instead of artificial ones. Stones, wood, natural materials, and natural coloring methods have become staples for 2021. If the product has been made from reusable products, that’s even better. But if you don’t see yourself as a plant parent, that’s ok because dried flowers can save the day.  Preserved flora can last months and requires zero maintenance.